I’m back with another long awaited episode of Where To Sit and this time we’re at the magical, awe inspiring masterpiece that is Frozen the Musical. Frozen is the first musical back at Theatre Royal Drury Lane since a huge refurbishment and I must say, everything about this massive theatre is exquisite.
It goes without saying that a huge proportion of the audience for this show are children so I’ll start by saying that the theatre is very well equipped with a massive pile of free booster seats to help the little ones see the action from any seat.
This is a huge theatre so buckle in.
STALLS
Front Row
The front row for this particular show is brilliant. The orchestra pit protrudes outwards toward the audience which gives the front row a little bit of distance from the stage. It also isn’t a particularly high stage which means that the view is almost perfect. You’ll probably miss feet and perhaps legs at the very back of the stage (it’s a very deep stage), but as front rows go, this one is up there with the best. It’s worth remembering that if you’re sat right in the middle of the front row the conductor will be directly infront of you so could block your view slightly.
Front Side Stalls
A good view of the stage, the stage is very deep so if you’re at the far sides of the auditorium you’ll miss the very edge of the rear stage closest to you. This is worse the closer you are to the stage. This photo is taken from the back corner of the front section of the stalls – around K40.
Stalls Slips and Side Stalls
This is where I sat (SL9) and I really enjoyed the view from here, although I wouldn’t choose the seats closest to the stage. The seats can be moved which is great and makes these slips much more comfortable than some others I’ve sat in. You feel really close to the action and you’re slightly raised above the main section of the stalls which means you don’t have any heads blocking your view – a real bonus. This is as far to the side of the auditorium as you can get so the same applies as above – you’ll miss the back of the stage closest to you. I was surprised by how deep the stage is (it’s huge) so even in the slips seat furthest from the stage you do miss action at the rear. Imagine drawing a straight line from the edge of the proscenium to the opposite side of the stage and you’ll only see anything infront of that line. 2 photos here – first one from the slips seat closest to the stage and second one from the slips seat furthest from the stage – you can see how much the view improves as you get further away! As you can see from the second photo – you are right next to the people sat at the very edge of the main section so the view is very similar from the slips and side stalls.
Middle Stalls
Amazing views from this area. There is an aisle in front of the sides of Row M so I’d say these are arguably some of the best seats in the theatre – the aisle means no heads directly in front to block the view. The rows around row M are the perfect distance from the stage to take it all in. Again, not the best rake so be prepared for some head dodging.
Rear Stalls
The last few rows of the stalls feel very far from the stage and the overhang from the circle means that it is very much a letterbox view of the stage. I’ll include a couple of photos from this area to show the view from the rear centre stalls and the very back corner of the stalls. Also remember that when everyone is seated, there will be a lot of heads inf ront of you to contend with and the rake isn’t the best.
ROYAL CIRCLE
Front Row
A perfect view of the stage. If I could sit anywhere in the theatre – this is where I’d chose. You feel close to the action but can still take the full stage in at once – completely unrestricted for the most part. The very edges of this row are restricted – see below for more on that.
Centre Royal Circle
Still a pretty much perfect view of the stage. All of the circles at the this theatre have excellent rake so the views are generally good. As you get closer to the back of the circle though, the overhang from grand will start to come into view cutting off the top of the stage as you go. I doubt that this would affect your enjoyment of the show. Right at the very back of the circle are a few private Royal Circle Boxes – these are raised above the rest of the seats meaning no heads in the way but the view is a letterbox view. 1st photo – middle, 2nd photo – rear, 3rd photo – box.
Sides Royal Circle
The royal circle is slightly curved so the seats right on the edges are definitely a side view. Like in the stalls you’ll miss the rear of the stage closest to you but you’re far enough away for this to be quite minimal. Row A however does extend around towards the stage meaning that the first and last 4 seats on row A are restricted side views – think of these as slips. There are Royal Circle Boxes at either edge of the circle which are just behind the seats on the edges of the front row but set further back giving an even more restricted view. 1st photo – edge of row A , 2nd photo – edge of row E roughly.
GRAND CIRCLE
Front Row
Another brilliant view of the stage – if you’re tall or sit straight. You’re quite high up and therefore distant in this circle but the front row provides a great unrestricted view of the entire stage. There is a lighting rail in front of the front row but this wont be an issue for most seats. The row does bend around the curve and it is here at the edges when you might need to lean forward to see past the rig. The taller the better in this row.
Front Row Sides
The 5 seats either side of Row A are basically slip seats along the side of the theatre. The seating plan does reflect this which is good. These seats are very restricted. Leaning back you can’t see the stage (1st photo). Leaning forward you can see the stage well but it is a very restricted side view (2nd photo). Very uncomfortable as leaning forward and twisting is a must.
Centre Grand Circle
A good view in general but quite distant from the stage. Good rake so heads shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Even at the very back of the Grand Circle the overhang from the balcony doesn’t create too much of a letter box view. It only cuts off the top of the proscenium so wouldn’t affect the view much at all!
Side Grand Circle
The curve of the grand circle will only really affect the first few rows – cutting off the front corner of the stage. The further back you go the less this will be an issue. Very little happens here in the show so not much action would be missed. The Grand Circle Boxes are located behind the slips and would provide a very restricted side view of the stage, looking down on all the action. Would need to lean forward to improve your view – in my opinion not worthy of their hefty price tag. 1st photo – Rear side view, 2nd photo – Front side view (A6/B6/C6).
BALCONY
Warning to those with vertigo – this is VERY high up. I don’t have an issue with heights but even I felt a little unsteady on the steps in the balcony. It is incredibly steep and high – I’d recommend completely avoiding the balcony for anyone uncomfortable with heights.
Leg room is limited throughout the balcony.
Front Row
You’re high up and distant but if you’re prepared to lean forward to see over the safety rail, you would have a reasonably good view from here. I can’t imagine these seats are particularly comfortable taking into account the limited leg room and requirement to lean for a full view. At the very edges of the front row are some of the spotlights – worth considering if things in your eyeline might distract you. (This photo is taken from row B as I couldn’t get to A)
Centre Balcony
A clear view HOWEVER as this balcony is SO steep, every 3 or 4 rows there is a safety rail. This significantly blocks the view of those sat directly behind it requiring them to lean forward, in turn blocking the view of those behind. As with any steep circle, there will be alot of leaning up here which always causes issues.
Side Balcony
A good view with the same issues as before, the front corner of the stage will be cut off to varying degrees and the spotlights might distract slightly.
Rear Balcony
VERY HIGH. A good clear birdseye view of the stage. Proscenium might block action at rear of the stage and top of set pieces.
So there we have it – a little overview of London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane. If you’re headed to Frozen I hope you have a magical time. If you found this post helpful please leave me a comment and share!
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Much Love,
Charlotte x
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